Shells from the Coast mistaking --
I cherished them for All --
Happening in After Ages
To entertain a Pearl --

Wherefore so late -- I murmured --
My need of Thee -- be done --
Therefore -- the Pearl responded --
My Period begin

The Heaven vests for Each
In that small Deity
It craved the grace to worship
Some bashful Summer's Day --

Half shrinking from the Glory
It importuned to see
Till these faint Tabernacles drop
In full Eternity --

How imminent the Venture --
As one should sue a Star --
For His mean sake to leave the Row
And entertain Despair --

A Clemency so common --
We almost cease to fear --
Enabling the minutest --
And furthest -- to adore --

As if the Sea should part
And show a further Sea --
And that -- a further -- and the Three
But a presumption be --

Of Periods of Seas --
Unvisited of Shores --
Themselves the Verge of Seas to be --
Eternity -- is Those --

Their Height in Heaven comforts not --
Their Glory -- nought to me --
'Twas best imperfect -- as it was --
I'm finite -- I can't see --

The House of Supposition --
The Glimmering Frontier that
Skirts the Acres of Perhaps --
To Me -- shows insecure --

The Wealth I had -- contented me --
If 'twas a meaner size --
Then I had counted it until
It pleased my narrow Eyes --

Better than larger values --
That show however true --
This timid life of Evidence
Keeps pleading -- "I don't know."

I could bring You Jewels -- had I a mind to --
But You have enough -- of those --
I could bring You Odors from St. Domingo --
Colors -- from Vera Cruz --

Berries of the Bahamas -- have I --
But this little Blaze
Flickering to itself -- in the Meadow --
Suits Me -- more than those --

Never a Fellow matched this Topaz --
And his Emerald Swing --
Dower itself -- for Bobadilo --
Better -- Could I bring?

Life -- is what we make of it --
Death -- we do not know --
Christ's acquaintance with Him
Justify Him -- though --

He -- would trust no stranger --
Other -- could betray --
Just His own endorsement --
That -- sufficeth Me --

All the other Distance
He hath traversed first --
No New Mile remaineth --
Far as Paradise --

His sure foot preceding --
Tender Pioneer --
Base must be the Coward
Dare not venture -- now --

The Judge is like the Owl --
I've heard my Father tell --
And Owls do build in Oaks --
So here's an Amber Sill --

That slanted in my Path --
When going to the Barn --
And if it serve You for a House --
Itself is not in vain --

About the price -- 'tis small --
I only ask a Tune
At Midnight -- Let the Owl select
His favorite Refrain.